The life and facts of Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen, the first man to arrive on the South Pole.
Now here’s an old-school biopic that embraces history and spectacle in a classic manner. Norwegian director, Espen Sandberg, reunites with star Pål Sverre Hagen who portrays the adventurer Roald Amundsen. Roald embarked on various pioneering excursions throughout the Northern Arctic and Southern Antarctic. Sandberg’s production, shot on location around Norway, Sweden and, a great set, looks flawless and I could feel the frigid weather coming through the screen.
The film opens with Amundsen’s plane crashing in a blizzard before cutting to Bess Magids (Katherine Waterston) in a cozy Norwegian cottage waiting for news of her lover’s recent trip. Even though her character is accurately portrayed, Waterston is one of the best working actors, so it’s disappointing to see her reduced to the woman waiting by the window for her man’s return. Roald’s brother Leon (Christian Rubeck) lives next door and after a humorous introduction he sits down with Bess to tell his older sibling’s story starting back when they were kids. With fluid editing, the boys’ father lights a match, illuminating one of the coolest globes I’ve ever seen. He shows them how most of the planet has been discovered and mapped out except for the North and South Poles. Roald becomes enticed by the prospect of visiting uncharted territory to both satisfy his curiosity and gain potential glory. Leon mentions being disturbed by his brother’s intense preparation such as taking ice baths to acclimate to the subzero temperatures.
Roald, now a young man, was the first person to have successfully penetrated the elusive Northwestern Passage in 1903 with a tiny ship, precariously hugging the coast. Roald’s presentation impresses and astounds the Royal Geographical Society of London who also grossly detest his kindness towards the Inuit natives he encountered. Before leaving, he announces his plans to sail to the Arctic Circle and around the North Pole.
Unfortunately, two Americans had already reached the North Pole so Roald decides to reroute his ship to the South Pole. Employing a group of rugged men and an army of ninety polar sled dogs, Roald gave a late notice to the King of Norway while en route. During their ride, a crewman mentions a rival explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, is heading there as well, financed by the British Empire. The race is on, and Roald is shown being very tough on his crew. The screenplay thankfully doesn’t worship him, he’s flawed, curt, but he also cared about people and his country without being a staunch nationalist. More biopics need to have this honest, unfiltered perspective because humans aren’t one-dimensional. As the story progresses Roald ages, sees a lot more, and the performance by Hagen remains remarkably subtle in every moment.
Espen Sandberg previously co-directed “Kon-Tiki” and clearly hasn’t lost his touch for nautical epics and interesting characters. I read some Nordic critics who said “Amundsen”’s story and people felt flat but I found the writing realistic and unsentimental which is fantastic. If these men were willing to sail off for years at a time it makes sense for them to be somewhat socially disconnected and not reciting poetry. I long for these seafaring adventures and I think this will be appreciated by the curious travelers who should know the man that bravely charted the unknown.
In Virtual Theaters and on VOD Friday, April 2nd
